Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 7:11

What does 2 Corinthians 7:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 7:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 7:11 means

Paul highlights the practical harvest of their godly sorrow: earnest diligence, a desire to clear themselves by righting wrongs, indignation at the sin, a reverent fear toward God, longing for restored fellowship, zeal to do what is right, and readiness to see justice done. These are not empty emotions but actions and attitudes that correct the failure. Thus, in everything, they showed themselves “pure in the matter”—not that they were never at fault, but that they took the right side once confronted and cleansed the situation. True repentance moves quickly and thoroughly, replacing complacency with energy and passivity with purposeful obedience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For you see what care was produced in you by this very sorrow of yours before God, what clearing of yourselves, what wrath against sin, what fear, what desire, what serious purpose, what punishment. In everything you have made it clear that you are free from sin in this business.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for, lo, this same thing--your being made sorry toward God--how much diligence it doth work in you! but defence, but displeasure, but fear, but longing desire, but zeal, but revenge; in every thing ye did approve yourselves to be pure in the matter.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For behold this selfsame thing, that you were made sorrowful according to God, how great carefulness it worketh in you: yea defence, yea indignation, yea fear, yea desire, yea zeal, yea revenge. In all things you have shewed yourselves to be undefiled in the matter.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved according toGod, how much diligence it wrought in you, but [what] excusing [of yourselves], but [what] indignation, but [what] fear, but [what] ardent desire, but [what] zeal, but [what] vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

Context

This catalog of virtues demonstrates that the Corinthians’ sorrow was from God. It validates Paul’s ministry and the effectiveness of his letter. Next, in verse 12, Paul will clarify why he wrote—not to focus on the offender or the victim alone, but to awaken the congregation’s loyalty and care for the apostolic work before God. The focus shifts from individual wrongs to corporate health and tested affection.

v.10For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

v.11This passage

v.12So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 42:6

    Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:7

    Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:6

    Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many;

  • Mark 3:5

    And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored.

  • Zechariah 12:10

    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

  • Isaiah 66:2

    For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.

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